title: X-Ray treatment of carbuncles and furuncles (boils): a historical assessment.
abstract: The goal of this article was to assess the historical role of radiotherapy in the treatment of selected inflammatory diseases. The specific research involved a literature-based assessment of the use of x-rays during the first half of the 20th century for the treatment of furuncles and carbuncles, the potentially serious staphylococcus infections. X-Rays were reported to be effective as a treatment at relatively low dose, about 10-20% of the skin erythema dose, which often quickly and profoundly reduce pain and accelerate the resolution/healing of the furuncles and carbuncles. These findings were based on considerable clinical experience that was generally reported in the form of case studies. The mechanism of x-ray-induced reduction of inflammation and acceleration of healing was suggested to result from a combination of immune alterations that enhanced phagocytosis as well as via an anti-localization effect on the pathogenic organism that facilitates their destruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. edwardc@schoolph.umass.edu
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Calabrese
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005667:Furunculosis / Q000266:history* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000266:history* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014965:X-Rays
keywords: Carbuncle; dose–response; furuncle; inflammation; radiotherapy; x-rays